So, what is Preconception counseling?

It is a preventive medical practice that gives opportunity to couples and prospective parents to assess the possibilities and the risks associated with their getting pregnant and the safe delivery of a healthy baby.

Preconception counseling gives confidence to couples planning to have healthy babies. It puts knowledge in their hand to decide on the best out remedial actions to forestall unwanted but possible outcomes.

Preconception counseling also saves the couple money. The cost of the tests required in PC pales into insignificance compared with the cost of treatment of medical complications in pregnancy, lifelong pain and cost of delivering a challenged baby or the loss of either or both of pregnant woman and baby.

Preconception counseling allays the fear of the couple. It allows you to ask all the questions bothering you and get honest answers. This is comforting and reassuring.

Like Oby and Tony, are you in a stable relationship that could lead to pregnancy, and then go for a Preconception counselling with an Obstetrics or Midwife. Preconception counselling is extremely important and all women should schedule one now.[img][/img]

http://mothercraft.com.ng/preconception-assessment.php

What a life!

There were three expectant groups in the waiting room. The air was tense with fear and great expectation. The atmosphere was not helped by the painful noise emanating from the labor room nearby where three pregnant women were laboring to deliver their babies.
Two of the pregnant women Funmi and Triumphant were first timers while Bridgette is already a mother of three and is here for the fourth baby.

The people in the waiting room include expectant husband of one of the first timers, mother in laws, friends from church and mosque, some neighbors and colleagues from the office.
So when the brouhaha started, the hospital management had a crowd to deal with. It was similar experience to the story of King Solomon and the 2 women with a dead child and a life baby in the Holy Bible. Who has which?
One of the first timers delivered first and the husband was called and congratulated on the safe delivery of a baby girl. The wife was still recurpating. Minutes later Bridgette also delivers a baby boy and on hearing these news so soon after his own information, the husband of the first timer started shouting that his baby was the male child and not the female and the midwives had collected money to exchange babies.

So why would a man behave like this? And as an expectant couple how can you save yourself from such accusation?
Some families still hold on to gender bias against female/girl child. Some children have birth defects, abnormalities and congenital deficiencies that make them undesirable to the parents.

That is why prospective parents should take preconception counseling before getting pregnant, register with a hospital/maternity centre on conception, do abdominal scans and tests to ensure the baby is growing normally in the womb. The pregnant woman should take good care of herself, eat balanced diet, maintain clean and health lifestyle during pregnancy and ensure her partner is aware of all relevant stages and happenings during the pregnancy. When it is time to deliver, ensure your partner or relation or a trusted friend is with you to witness the delivery and be sure you get your baby.

It was the woman delivered of the girl child that saved the day when she came around. She informed her husband that they were expecting a baby girl and not a boy. Obviously, she knew her husband has a gender bias and had been informing him that the sex of the child could not be accurately known in the womb and that her husband who is the first child will follow in the steps of his father too by having a male child as his first child. She knew from previous abdominal scans her expected baby would be a girl but was managing the ego of her man till the last minute.

What a life!

http://www.mothercraft.com.ng/mother/index.php/2018/02/05/not-my-baby/

Do you recall that Preconception counseling helps partners to be take the initiative in getting pregnant and also assess the impact of former lifestyle on their desire and take prompt remedial actions.

Today we continue with benefits you derive in taking preconception counselling. A free assessment is available @ http://mothercraft.com.ng/preconception-assessment.php

Preconception counseling increases the chances of couples to have healthy pregnancy, safe delivery and healthy child at birth by flagging inherent conditions that can potentially affect the pregnancy, pregnant woman and or child. Some lifestyle can impair the growth of the child in the womb if carried on during pregnancy.

Family history and genetic makeup of the couple can also impact the woman and baby during pregnancy if such information is not properly analysed and preventive steps taken. Are you hypertensive, diabetic or having blood clotting disorders or allergies? These health conditions can complicate pregnancy and should be disclosed during Preconception counselling for appropriate mediation.

Preconception counseling reduces the reoccurrence of past challenges for couples who have history of miscarriage and abortions for whatever reason. Instead of assuming all will be fine, go for a Preconception counseling and be advised on early remedial actions to forestall repetition.

Preconception counseling gives the couple confidence to navigate the journey from conception to labour ward. Knowledge is power. Having understanding of what to expect removes fear and uncertainty.

Like Oby and Tony, are you in a stable relationship that could lead to pregnancy, and then go for a Preconception counselling with an Obstetrics or Midwife. Preconception counselling is extremely important and all women should schedule one now.

Get a free preconception assessment at http://mothercraft.com.ng/preconception-assessment.php

Keep a date with me next week for the last part of these write up.

So, what are the benefits to you of having a preconception counselling session?

Preconception counseling is of immense benefits and some are listed in this series

Firstly, preconception counseling helps couples to acknowledge their desire to have babies. More than 50% of pregnancies are unplanned and unexpected occurrences that put psychological pressures on the couples and sometimes the child. Couples are better able to plan for the change that accompanies pregnancy and child birth with PC.

It is even possible to plan the time of arrival of the bundle of joy with PC.

Secondly, preconception counseling helps couples to identify early any present or past condition that can significantly affect the plan to conceive. Are you presently on any birth control method? Preconception counselling will allow you switch appropriately and also understand the impact of the family planning method on the timing of expecting to be pregnant.

Some family planning method like the use on Condom allows pregnancy immediately it is discontinued while some will still foreclose pregnancy for several months after being discontinued.

Have you or your partner been treated for STI before? It can affect safe pregnancy if not properly treated.

Like Oby and Tony, are you in a stable relationship that could lead to pregnancy, and then go for a Preconception counselling with an Obstetrics or Midwife.
Get a free preconception assessment at http//www.mothercraft.com.ng/home

I'll be back soon with other benefits to you.

Oby and Tony are in love and both look forward to a great future together. Though not openly acknowledged yet, the desirability of having a baby soon is very high especially from Tony and the siblings of Oby. Oby is a bit apprehensive because her only sister had challenges during her recent pregnancy. Oby and Tony had been advised to go for Preconception counseling by a colleague but they are not sure whether to accept the advice.

This scenario is played out in majority of relationships with the parties not sure of what to do especially when both have a sense of wellbeing.

So, what is Preconception counseling? Is it good for me?

It is a preventive medical practice that gives opportunity to couples and prospective parents to assess the possibilities and the risks associated with their getting pregnant and the safe delivery of a healthy baby.

Like Oby and Tony, are you in a stable relationship that could lead to pregnancy? If yes, then go for Preconception counseling with an Obstetrics or Midwife. Preconception counseling is extremely important and all women and couples should schedule one now.

I'll be sharing some benefits with you. I hope it blesses you.

And the good news is free preconception assessment is also available.

Keep a date next week.